Apparatus for reproducing sound and pictures



Dec. 6, 1932. H. c. BULLls 1,889,798

APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING SOUND AND PICTURES Filed May 29. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W/ T'NESSES Dec- 6, 1 932 H. c. BuLLls APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING SOUND AND PICTURES Filed May 29. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mmm-Umm Patented Dec. 61932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HENRY C. BUIiLIS, OF FRANKLIN,V `1ENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, rro SOUND PICTURE Tron or rLLINoIs PATENT COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORA- Application filed May 29, -1929. Serial No. 367,012.

rlhis invention relates to reproduction of sound and pictures in theiorm now generally known as talking pictures.

Proper synchronism of reproduction between the sound track and the picture record is of paramount importance a reproducing machine. While Various means of effecting Y synchronism are now in use, nevertheless, it

has been difficult in the past to effect this synchronism in a simple, eective and practical manner, especially considering the lack of standardization of recording and reproducing machines.

Accordingly, the present invention has prlmarily in view an apparatus including means for initially setting and automatically7 malntaining the standard loop required in the film or record strip to maintain the proper distance between the picture aperture andthe sound apelrture for correct synchronization. In that connection, the invention contemplates means for automatically malntaining the required loop in the strip between the 1ntermittent and continuously moving parts of the record Aand also to simultaneously frame the sound ,aperture with the picture aperture. rllhus, by means of two simple' operations, namely, that of threading the film in the machine, and framing the picture, which is always necessary before the projectionist starts his apparatus, perfect synchronization between the picture and sound is obtained and maintained.

With the above andl other objects in View which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the

same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

A preferred and practical arrangement of the invention is shown in drawings, in which Figure l is a vertical sectional view of a reproducing machine illustrating the present improvements.

Figure 2l is affront elevation of a pa-r't of the machine shown in Fig. l illustrating both the vertical and lateral adjustments` necesof sprocket used the accompanying I sary. for adapting t-he machine to different types of record strips.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view of a combined picture and sound record made on a single film with the sound track on the outside of the picture sprocket openings.

Figure 4 isa detail elevation of the type in the reproducing apparatus. e

Figure 5 is a detail view of a portion of a film wherein the sound record is within the marginal tractional edges of the film and occupies a part of the picture track.

Similar reference characters represent corresponding parts throughout the several gures of the dra-wings.

In the reproduction of picture andY sound records to produce talking moving pictures itis essential to maintain an accurately uniform distance between the` axis othe picture projecting aperture and the axis of the sound projecting aperture, and furthermore, it is essential to maintain a proper length of idle or slack ilm between the intermittently moving portion of the iilm and the continuously moving part so that the sound may be produced continuously while the pictures are intermittently moved at the proper rate per picture projecting aperoperator to not only maintain the picture properly framed but to also maintain the sound. aperture properly spacedA with reference tothe picture aperture so that the l sound record willalso alwaysbe accurately framed. i

To overcome this diiiculty the present in- Vention aims to mount the means for framing the picture with the sound. reproducing unit so that the movement of the means for framing the icture will simultaneonsly move the means or framing the record on the sound 5 track. In other words, the present invention contemplates the provision of a common means for framing both the picture and sound apertures.

The record strip or iilm occu'pies a relatively' fixedl position inthe projecting machine, that is, it is fed from one reel to the other through a definite system of guides and sprockets M so that while it has a traveling movement, nevertheless, with reference to the axis of the projecting lens the means for framing the picture has aneiectiveadjustable movement and it is the object of the resent invention to combine the adjustment incident to the framing of'.the picture aperture with the adjustment for framing the sound' aperture.

In my Patent No. 1,335,651 issued March 30, 1920, I have described the relatively differential movement between the picvture and sound lms as they pass their translating devices, utilizing enough lslack in the film between the intermittent and continuously moving elements-to provide for the proper movement of both in the reproducing'appa-F 30 ratus.

The present invention represents a carrying forward of the idea expressed in the patent referred to, to the extent that I provide A a. novel and practical positive means for ac- 3.5 curately maintaining the slack of the film in the` form of a loop which is controlled by a n ovel device which may be set by the projectionist according to the type of sound and picture record that is to` be shown or reprouced in the apparatus.

In the recording/of picture'V and sound rec# ords omiilms, different types of recordingr :lpparatus are employed.

n some apparatus e sound aperture may be a greater istance 5 fromthe picture aperture than in others, and.

also the sound track may be within or without the picture track. In other words, the present state of the art does not afford a standardization of recording equipment sufficiently accurate to enable records made by different recording apparatus to be readily reproduced on present types of reproducers and even when s uch machines are re-equippe'd the projectionist must use considerable tact and experiment in placing the film inl the apparatus. i

The presentinvention however aims tov overcoinethi's diliieulty by providing an adjustable device for maintaining the proper size of the loop at all times projectionist knows the type of recording #machine on which the records werenmade, he

can, by a simple adjustment, set the loop maintaining unit and merely thread the film through the machine and it will be ready for so thatwhen the projection. other words, the projectionist can readily and accurately determine the proper size loop to be maintained and when` his-device is once set it `needs no further attention. f j

f Referring to the drawings which illustrate one way of carrying the invention into effect it will be observed that the projection apparatus is^ designated generally as Aand includes the supply reel casing B and the take- 4 up reel casing Ctogether with the projection light housing D which cooperates.V with the condensing lens E to concentrate the light on the projecting lens E. All of the parts referred to are fixed .or relatively stationary one to the other since they are a part of the apparatus vcasing for the projection of pictures.

s Within the casing A there is mounted a movable element G which has in one wall thereof the picture 'aperture H and lm gate H through which the film is threaded. The movable element G may be adjusted by any suitable and convenient means, such for example, as by thelever 1 which operates a pinion 2 meshing with a rack 3 on the movable element Gr. The purpose of this arrangement is to properly frame the picture before the projecting lens E. i v u According to the present invention it is proposed to consolidate with the movable element G for framingothe picture, the sound reproducin unit designated generally as S. This unit will, therefore, move with the picture framing element G in the same direction and in the same proportion and thus Ythe projectionist may simultaneously frame the sound track with the picture track.

The s'ound unit S may be ofv any well known type including-the source of light 4, lens 5. sound aperture 6, film gate 7 and the photoelectric cell or other pickeup device 8 all of which is mounted in the casing of the unit S and movable with the picture framing element G.

As previously indicated it is essential to maintain a standard loop in the Iiln'i F between the sound aperture and the picture aperture, and to that end it isproposed to provide a loop maintaining member 9 which is preferably made of spring metal or the like pivotally supported at 10 and having its other end pivotally secured, as at; 11, to an arm 12 which in turn is pivoted in a fixed position as indicated at 13 in the casing of the apparatus. rI lhe arm'12 is providedwith an offset portion 14 which is engaged by' a spring 15 for placing the arm under tension andl tending to maintain the same against a stop or-abutment 16. This stop may be moved to any one ofa plurality ofpsitions as indicated by the sockets Aor openings 17 thereby' In theillustration shown themetallic loop 9 l is of minimum diameter. By moving the pinr ture records were made upon and knows the distance between the sound and picture recording apertures of the recording' apparatus hecan at once set his metallic spring loop 9 to the proper position and then thread the film about the loop. Thenby framing the picture aperture through the manipulation' of the lever 1 the picture and sound apertures will be automatically framed in the proper synchronized relationship.

Tf the apparatus for intermittently moving the film before the picture aperture tends to pull the film too fast and to cause it to creep, such creeping will be automatically resisted by the tensioning spring and loop 9 which will at all times seek to f maintam its normal position. Thus, after the picture has been initially framed by the manipulation of the element Ghaving the picture aperture H the loop device 9l automatically maintains the picture framed during the operatlon of the machine.

Tn addition to the feature of vertically adjusting the picture aperture H and sound aperture simultaneously, another feature of the invention resides in the provision of means for laterally adjusting the sound aperture 6L Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings, show different types of sound tracks. Fig. 3 shows the sound track T on the outer side of the line of sprocket openings of the picture track T. Fig. 5 of the drawings shows the sound track T2 within the 'marginal limit of the picture strip T3. In this latter form of film the sound track T occupies a portion of the film which would otherwise be occupied by the picture. Therefore, as will be clearly apparent from a comparison of Figs. 3 and 5 it is essential to be able to laterally shift the sound aperture 6 to enable the reproducer to be useful in connection with different types of sound and picture records. lf the reproducer is used in .connection with the type of record 'shownjnlfigl 3 the picture aperture 6 will occupy a position further to the right than it will when a record of the type of Fig. 5is being reproduced.

Therefore, in order to permit of the lateral shifting of the entire sound reproducing unit S laterally on the shelf G of the movable element G the casing of the sound reproducing unit S may be provided in its bottom wall with suitable guiding elements 18 and shifting means designated generally .as 19.

This shifting means may be of any desired form or construction, but in the illustration shown is a knurled screw mounted in abracket portion 20 of the shelf G and has a ball or its equivalent bearing in a socket in the casing of the unit S. By manipulating the screw 19 the entire unit S may be shifted laterally with micrometer accuracy. If it is desired to lock the unit S in its set position theA bolts 18 or their equivalent may be tightened up and used for that purpose.

Accordingly, it will be apparent that the sound reproducing unit S may be shifted laterally to adjust the sound aperture 6 to the particular type of sound film being used. This film may be a single film having the sound record either at one side or the other of one line of sprocket `openings or where the two recordsare made on separate films, as for example in my former Patent- No. 1,335,651. n

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention is primarily directed to coordinated adjustments for effecting the proper reproduction of the picture and sound records on the films. That is to say, the invention contemplates means for initially and subsequently maintaining the picture aperture properly framed with reference to the picture track on the film and to also simultaneously maintain the sound aperture properly framed with reference to the sound track. The picture track is f ramedL through the aperture H and the sound track is framed through the aperture 6 according to the type of film to be reproduced, this being accomplished with reference to the distance apart on the length of the film of the sound andpicture records by manipulating the lever 1 or its equivalent and being thereafter taken care of automatically through the loop device 9.

Tn the illustration shown, the sound reproducing unit S is located in advance of the picture projecting means. However, it will be understood that the spirit of the invention permits of locating the sound reproducing unit on the other side, `that is, the leaving side of the picture projecting means. In other words, it is within the scope of the invention to mount the sound reproducing unit S at the bottom of the adjustable member G where the type and style of projector admits of that location. In that event the loop would also be located at the leaving side of theA picture projecting. means since it is essential that the sound record at all times move continuously while the picture record mustbe intermittently passed before the pro` jecting lens.

Without further description it is thought that the ,features and advantages of the inand pictures from the same film, the combination of means for initially framing both the sound and picture records, and means for automatically maintaining the initially framed records during the movement thereof, said means comprising an adjustable loop member about which a portion of the record is led.

3. In an apparatus for reproducing sound and pictures from the same film, the combination of a picture framing element having a picture aperture and a sound framing element having an adjustable sound aperture, andmeans consisting of a spring tensioned loop member arranged between the sound and picture apertures and adapted to yieldingly maintain the said sound and picture records in proper relation to sai-d apertures.

4. In an apparatus for reproducing soundV and pictures from av film bearing both the combination of a picture framing element having \a picture aperture and a sound framing element having a sound aperture, said picture a ertureand sound aperture being spaced a xeddistance apart, means for shifting said picture and sound framing elements simultaneously with reference to the film bearing the sound and picture. records, and means consisting of a yielding loop located between the sound and picture apertures and havin the film bearing said records passing therea out whereby differential movement between the portion ofthe film passing before the picture aperture and the sound aperture \will be compensatedfor. l

5. In a sound and picture reproducin apparatus, the combination of a picture` aming element having a picture aperture and a sound framing element having a sound aperture", and means for maintaining a predetermined length of lm between the sound and picture apertures, said means comprising a' curved member p1votally supported at one end and adjustablyv mounted at its other en under spring tension.,

6.@In a sound and picture reproducin apparatus, the `combination of a picture raming element having a picture aperture and a sound framing element having a sound aperture','and means for maintaining a predetermined length of lm between the sound and picture apertures, said means comprislng a curved member having a relatively fixed the Spirit of the invention and sope if the vpoint of pivotal support at oneend, an abutment adapted to be set at any one of a plurality of positions with reference to the other end of the curved member, and a spring ten-y sioned and pivotally mounted arm connected with said last-named end of the curved member and adapted to be maintained againstl said abutment by spring pressure.

7. In a sound and picture reproducing apparatus, the combination with a vertically adjustable picture framing element having an aperture, of a sound framin element having an aperture, and means or maintaining Said aperture at a fixed distance from the picture aperture but adjustable laterally with reference thereto.

8. In a sound and picture reproduclng apparatus, a device having an apertured picture framing element, and an apertured sound framing element spaced a xed dlstance apart, means for vertically adjustmg the device having the picture and sound framing elements simultaneously, and means for adjusting the sound aperture at right angles with reference to the line of adjustment of the picture aperture.

9. In a sound and picture reproducing apparatus, the combination of. pictureprojecting means, soundfreproducing means, means for feeding a combined picture and sound record strip through the apparatus, means for simultaneously framing the sound and picture records, means for automatically mamtaininnr a standard length loop of the record strip etween the sound reproducing means and picture projecting means, and means for adjustin the sound reproducing means laterally wlth reference to the line "of record stri/fp feed.

e 10. In a sound and picture reproducing aparatus, the combination of picture projectlng means, sound reproducing means, means for feeding a combined picture and sound record strip through the apparatus with both a continuous and intermittent feeding mo-J tion, means for projecting pictures from the intermittently moving portion of the record' strip", means for reproducing sound from thev continuously moving portion of the record strip, means for framing the picture and sound records'in the direction of feed of said' record strip, and Vmeans lfor adjusting the sound reproducing means laterally with reference to the line of strip feed to adapt the apparatus to record strips having the sound track located within or without the picture track. v v

11. an apparatus for reproducing sound pictures from the same film, the combination with sources of reproducing light, of an ada justable member havin a picture framing aperture and a sonni? framing aperture spaced a fixed distance apart and sound reproducin means mounted on said member at one si e of said sound framing aperture.

12. In an apparatus for reproducing sound and pictures from the same film, the combination with the picture framing element of a sound reproducing unit integrally mounted With said picture framing elements, and means for simultaneously moving said picture framing element and sound reproducing unit.

13. ln an apparatus for reproducing sound and pictures from the same film, the combination with sources of reproducing light, o a unit including a picture framing aperture and a sound framing aperture spaced apart, and sound reproducing means; and means for 15 moving said unit in the direction of the length of the film thereby to eifect synchronous rey production between the sound and picture records. l

14;. In an apparatus for reproducing sound and pictures from the same film, the combination with an adjustable picture Jframing element, of a sound reproducing unit mounted on said adjustable picture ramin element and including a sound aperture, said picture I framing element having its vpicture framing aperture in fixed spaced relation to the sound framing aperture of the sound reproducing unit, and means for moving the adjustable picture framing element.

30 15. In an apparatus for reproducing sound and pictures from the same film, the combination of means for initially framing the sound and picture records, and means for automatically maintainin through film adm justment, the proper relationship of the picture and sound records during the operation of the apparatus.

16. ln an apparatus for reproducing sound and pictures from the same film, the

4p combination of means for initially framing the sound andpicture records, and an adjustable and yielding member for auto-- matically maintaining the proper tilm slack between the picture and sound framing parts 4: of the apparatus.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiix my v signature. l

' HENRY C. BULLIS. 

